Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) confirmed this week that she let her London property without the required selective licence from Southwark Council. Earlier this year, former Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali resigned following reports she re-advertised a property at a higher rent after advising tenants their lease would not be renewed. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner also stepped down after an investigation concluded she underpaid stamp duty on an £800,000 flat in Hove. The inquiry found that Rayner, who paid £30,000 in stamp duty rather than the roughly £70,000 owed under additional property rules, breached the ministerial code by failing to take specialist tax advice.
Leaders said the cases show that even experienced figures can overlook core legal requirements. Failure to obtain valid licensing or meet documentation and safety standards can lead to significant fines, rent repayment orders and reputational damage.
The firm highlighted several key obligations that apply before and during a tenancy, including checking mandatory, additional or selective licensing requirements; securing consent to let where needed; providing a valid EPC rated at least E; meeting gas and electrical safety rules; registering deposits within 30 days; completing Right to Rent checks; and supplying correct documentation such as the tenancy agreement and How to Rent guide. Landlords must also comply with the Tenant Fees Act, maintain and repair the structure and services of the property, use valid notices when seeking possession and declare rental income correctly.
Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at Leaders, said landlords must take compliance seriously. “This situation underlines the importance of understanding your legal responsibilities as a landlord. Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about maintaining trust and ensuring tenants live in safe, well-managed homes,” she said. Thompson encouraged landlords to keep licences and safety certificates up to date and review documentation regularly. “The cost of getting it wrong is far greater than the effort it takes to get it right – knowledge isn’t optional anymore, it’s risk management.”
She added that recent cases show how easily requirements can be missed. “These incidents highlight that even experienced owners and senior politicians can overlook critical requirements such as valid licensing, accurate tax or tenure documentation, and fair leasing behaviour. This reinforces our message: attention to the fundamentals matters.”
